Poacher Pope on target again

Tom Pope continued his prolific start to the season as Port Vale earned a 1-1 draw at Oldham.

Pope scored his fifth goal of the campaign, but Oldham hit back through James Wilson to clinch a well deserved point.

The visitors took just eight minutes to go in front as Ben Williamson, who himself has already netted four times this season, crossed from the left and Pope headed in at the far post from eight yards out.

Pope headed another chance straight at home goalkeeper Paul Rachubka before Oldham went close through their main goal threat Jonathan Forte.

The Latics looked certain to equalise in first-half stoppage time when Jonson Clarke-Harris shot from six yards out but Vale defender Frederic Veseli made a last-ditch clearance.

The leveller came after 64 minutes when Mike Jones whipped in a near-post corner and centre-back Wilson glanced in his header from close range.

Vale almost went back in front but Michael O'Connor was denied by Rachubka's alert save before Chris Lines headed against the woodwork.

Three minutes from time, visiting keeper Sam Johnson did superbly to turn Danny Philliskirk's header over the crossbar.